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"The Governor-General is currently serving an extended term in office that she did not seek. Her agreement to stay on was a measure of her personal commitment to provide continuity at a time of political turbulence and she should be commended for her dedication to public service.

‘‘Her excellency ... has served the people of Australia with distinction and has provided a gracious note to our constitutional arrangements through her widespread engagement with the community,’’ he said. "I believe it is only fit and proper that she be permitted to conclude her term and be accorded the appropriate farewell that her exemplary service merits.''

Ms Bryce’s term was originally to expire last month but in October last year then prime minister Julia Gillard extended her term to avoid the messy situation of her term ending during an election campaign.

In 2010, after the election that delivered a hung parliament, Ms Bryce sought advice from the then solicitor-general Stephen Gageler, SC about whether the marriage of her daughter to Mr Shorten created a conflict of interest. Mr Gageler found no legal conflict of interest and said Ms Bryce must be trusted to manage the perception of any conflict by prudently adhering to her constitutional responsibilities.